Conversion...I/O to Outboard??

[beachers4]

Hello all, I'm new to the board here and would like to compliment ya'll...what a wealth of knowledge! Which leads me to my question...has anyone ever seen or tried a conversion of I/O power to Outboard power with a bracket?? Is there a prefered model or type? Or am I out in left field??<br />Thanks in advance for your response...Paul

 

[Scali]

Re: Conversion...I/O to Outboard??

I've seen them, it's been done many a times.<br />Basiclly the hole is plugged & glassed & a bracket is bolted through transom..<br />Armstrong & Gill { maybe spelled Gil } make & sell brackets than can be used for this conversion.<br />About a decade ago I blew the motor in my 19' Chris craft I/O & considered this conversion but ended up selling the boat but I did some research.<br />Obviously you need a good candadate for the conversion with a sound transom & it's not cheap or really easy so you want a boat that has some value, quality boat ect..<br />I bet if you do a Google you may come up with some info, there used to be a guy who made a website on his older Formula conversion detailing the whole thing..

 

[beachers4]

Re: Conversion...I/O to Outboard??

Thanks for the info Scali...appreciate it!

 

[KaGee]

Re: Conversion...I/O to Outboard??

The transom has to be beefed up besides covering the hole. An I/O's weight is supported by the hull stringers whereas the transom has to carry the weight of the outboard. This is a major deal. In addition, the current hull was designed with an I/o. Simply bolting an outboard to the rear may not give you the satisfaction and performance you desire.

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: Conversion...I/O to Outboard??

KaGee brings up a good point. The boats were balanced for a I/O. Second, those outboard brackets are not cheap. Then add in the price of a outboard, the total redesign and rebuild of the transom...... I would be cheaper to fix the I/O and sell the boat and get something you want.

 

[Lou C]

Re: Conversion...I/O to Outboard??

I agree with fixing the IO and either using it or selling it to get an outboard boat. Don't forget even tho many like to hate IOs outboards have their issues as well. IOs require that you keep up on the maintenance esp in salt water. They do not forgive neglect!

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: Conversion...I/O to Outboard??

80% of the way through mine (although the site in my sig line is not up to date).<br /><br />I thought about the Gil Brackets and even phoned on them. For my use, they were not recommended. They don't recommend them for under 20' or so and mine 18'. And they were not cheap at around $1,500. <br /><br />If you have anything other then the old OMC Stringer drive, I'd fix the I/O. If you have a Stringer, then consider either the swap or a different boat. I'm getting away with it as I have a aluminum hull which has made the conversion easier. My splash well is built, the motor is mounted but the steering I bought is too long (D'oh). Next is drilling holes for the steering, electrical etc. It's been a "learning" experience.